Assignment 5 Solution

The correct answers and their explanation are marked in BOLD and ITALICS

1. What is the maximum number of geotextile layers that may be required for filters /
separators or protectors in a HW landfill cover?
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3

Refer page 12 in text file:Lecture 14

2. To prevent surface erosion, what alternative material can be considered for surface
layer in arid climates where vegetation is not sustainable for covers of landfills?
(a) Soil
(b) Geogrid
(c) Artificial turf
(d) Trees

Refer page 13 in text file:Lecture 14

3. A geocomposite, comprising of geonet sandwiched between two geotextiles, can

be considered for which functions in landfill covers?
(a) Barrier
(b) Erosion protection
(c) Gas collection
(d) Protection

Refer page 15 in text file:Lecture 14

4. Which of the following soil has highest erodibility?

(a) Silt
(b) Clay
(c) Gravel
(d) Cobble

Refer page 5 in text file:Lecture 15

5. Percolation through landfill covers is high when:
(a) Surface runoff is high
(b) Precipitation is low
(c) Evapotranspiration is low
(d) Soil moisture storage is high

Refer page 7 in text file:Lecture 15

6. Why are berms provided at small intervals along the side slopes of landfills?
(a) for better surface water drainage
(b) for fencing
(c) for gas collection

Refer diagram on page 11 in text file:Lecture 15

7. An important design requirement which is peculiar to side slope landfills is:

(a) Gas collection
(b) Leachate collection
(c) Vegetative cover
(d) Diversion channel

Refer page 12 and 13 in text file:Lecture 15. You can also refer lecture 15
video

8. One of the main challenges at Gorai landfill after closure is:

(a) Slope stability
(b) Erosion and exposure of geomembrane
(c) Bad odour

Refer Photographs of Gorai landfill in video:Lecture 15

9. How much tensile strains can soils withstand during settlement of covers?
(a) Up to 1 %
(b) Up to 10 %
(c) Up to 20 %
(d) Up to 80 %

Refer page 23 in text file:Lecture 15

10. Concentration of leachate constituents in a landfill:

(a) Increases with time
(b) Decreases with time
(c) Decreases with time after reaching a peak
 Refer page 6 in text file:Lecture 16

11. Leachate generation after capping of a phase, as a percentage of precipitation, is

usually:
(a) 30 %
(b) 20 %
(c) Less than 10 %
(d) Less than 0.1 %

Refer page 13 in text file:Lecture 16

12. A landfill receives 600mm of rainfall per year. The area of the active phase in the first
year is 10,000 sq. m. What is your best estimate of the total quantity of leachate that
will be generated in the active phase in one year, in cu.m.?
(a) More than 7000
(b) 500
(c) 4000-5000
(d) 1000-2000

Solution: Rainfall = 600 mm/year

Area of active phase = 10000 sq. m
Total Infiltration = 10000 x 0.600 = 6000 cu.m
After deducting the absorption and runoff the best estimate
will be 4500-5500 cu.m

13. In which type of landfill can we collect leachate by gravity flow?

(a) above ground
(b) below ground
(c) side slope
(d) a + b
(e) b + c
(f) a + c

Refer page 19 in text file:Lecture 16

14. Usually, what base slope is adopted for leachate collection system?
(a) 0.5%
(b) 2%
(c) 5%
(d) 8%.

Refer page 19 in text file:Lecture 16

15. In which type of leachate collection well can we expect more lateral movement /
tilting, if waste placement is non uniform?
(a) Vertical
(b) Side slope
(c) Both

Refer page 23 in text file:Lecture 16

16. Till a solar pond is ready, what is the best way of tackling leachate disposal?
(a) discharge to drains
(b) onsite treatment plant
(c) multi effect evaporator
(d) re-circulation

Refer page 25 in text file:Lecture 16

17. Production of which gas increases during the aerobic phase (I) of a MSW landfill?
(a) nitrogen
(b) oxygen
(c) methane
(d) Carbon dioxide

Refer page 6 in text file:Lecture 17

18. Gas production from a MSW landfill can reach a peak in:
(a) 0 to1 year
(b) 3 to 10 years
(c) 20 to 25 years
(d) After 100 years

Refer page 10 in text file:Lecture 17

19. Gas venting is usually:

(a) passive
(b) active
(c) under vacuum

Refer page 15 in text file:Lecture 17

20. Active gas extraction systems can be:

(a) Wells only
(b) Trench drains with horizontal pipes
(c) a + b

Refer page 19 in text file:Lecture 17

21. Gas treatment in MSW landfills by oxidative covers can result in oxidation in the
range of:
(a) 70 to 80%
(b) 10 to 30%
(c) 40 to 60%

Refer page 22 in text file:Lecture 17

22. Gas production rate in young MSW landfills can be as high as (cu. m. /ton / year):
(a) 2
(b) 8
(c) 20 to 30
(d) 50 to 70

Refer page 11 in text file:Lecture 17

23. To improve stability of cover slopes of HW landfills, the first choice should be:

(a) Reduce height of landfill

(b) Flatten slope of landfill
(c) Replace smooth geomembrane by a texture one
(d) Reduce thickness of clay.

Refer page 16 in text file:Lecture 15

24. Which of the following features is applicable for a cover and not a liner in a MSW
landfill?
(a) Hydraulic barrier
(b) Side-slopes
(c) Drainage
(d) Very large settlement

Refer page 6 in text file:Lecture 14

25. Which type of landfill has the largest exposed area for the same amount of waste
and height?
(a) below ground
(b) above ground
(c) side slope

Refer page 2 in text file:Lecture 14